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[title]We’ve already told you what to do in Mataderos, Versalles and Parque Avellaneda. Now it’s time for Coghlan, one of those Buenos Aires neighborhoods that rarely makes the radar — but once you walk it, it earns a permanent place in your favorites.
If you’re wondering what to do in Coghlan, the answer reveals itself without big announcements: historic train stations, neighborhood cafés, restaurants that take their craft seriously, and corners that still preserve a human scale. A guide to exploring it slowly, discovering its hidden gems and understanding why this small northern neighborhood of the city is best enjoyed without hurry.
What to do in Coghlan: history, trains and first walks
The best way to enter Coghlan is through its grand gateway: the railway station (Coghlan Station). English in style, it preserves its iron bridge, the old water tank for steam locomotives and a postcard-worthy railway atmosphere. Since the 1970s, the Civil Association Friends of Coghlan Station has kept the space alive with cultural activities and neighborhood gatherings.
A must-see is Roosevelt Square (Roosevelt between Estomba and the tracks), accessed by a small staircase from the station plaza. It feels straight out of a British tale and serves as the perfect prelude to the residential Coghlan of its first settlers.
Cultural places to visit in Coghlan
On Superí Street stands one of the area’s most important cultural spaces: the Ana Frank Argentina Center for Latin America (Superí 2647). The first official branch of the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam in the region, it houses original objects from the Frank family and an exact reproduction of the annex where they hid during World War II.
Crossing Avenida Congreso toward Núñez Street, you’ll find PH houses, low-rise homes, narrow passageways and a Buenos Aires vibe reminiscent of Parque Chas. Passageways such as Plutarco, Sócrates and Prometeo add extra charm to the neighborhood.
Look up and you’ll spot the famous “Coghlan Obelisk”: a 35-meter brick tower that serves as ventilation for the city’s second main sewer line (Washington 2944). Unusual, yes. Iconic too.
And there’s more. Coghlan is also home to the Whisky Museum (Av. Monroe 3982), literally the largest in the world. With more than 5,900 bottles on display — surpassing even the historic Edinburgh museum — the collection earned a Guinness World Record and put Coghlan on the international whisky map. Behind the project is Miguel Ángel Reigosa, founder and soul of the museum, recognized as a Keeper of the Quaich, one of the most prestigious distinctions in the global industry.
But the museum goes beyond display cases: it offers a full experience, with a restaurant, weekly tastings and courses for those who want to understand what they’re drinking — and why.
Where to eat in Coghlan: must-visit restaurants and bodegones
In recent years, Coghlan has begun to establish itself as a gastronomic destination in its own right, with proposals that respect the neighborhood spirit while elevating the experience. A great example is AHORA Buenos Aires (Nuñez 3802), a restaurant born from four friends’ desire to create a place to eat well, share and linger a little longer.
The menu is classic, built on quality products and recognizable flavors, with just the right touch of its own identity. From day one, the undisputed star has been the ojo de bife, perfectly crispy, finished with lemon zest and served with Italian pasta in a cheese cream sauce. The atmosphere is intimate, with good music, warm service and a patio that invites long conversations. Ideal for a date or a gathering with friends.
“When we started looking for a space, we wanted to move away from the more typical neighborhoods to find a place of our own and create a new meeting spot. Then we found this location in Coghlan, and it just made perfect sense. A new place in a growing neighborhood, close to everything, yet with its own unique essence,” says Catalina Moroni, one of the owners.
When we started looking for a space, we wanted to move away from the more typical neighborhoods to find a place of our own and create a new meeting spot.
Just a few meters away, Feriado Cantina (Washington 3498) offers a modern take on the traditional Buenos Aires bodegón: generous portions, classic dishes and a relaxed vibe. It’s also home to Feriado Vermú, the star of a menu of unique cocktails. On the same block, a pizzeria, a café and a Lucciano’s ice cream shop create a small gastronomic hub that brings movement and life to Coghlan without losing its human scale.
You might also like: The best restaurants to dine by the river
Classic bakeries and historic flavors of Coghlan
If there’s one name that sparks immediate devotion among neighbors and visitors, it’s Panadería y Confitería La Colón (Av. Monroe 4451). This historic bakery, founded in 1975 by an Italian family, still bakes the old-fashioned way: no preservatives, real ingredients and recipes passed down through generations.
The bread always comes out warm, panettone is made year-round, and their tea sandwiches and breads inspire true pilgrimages from other neighborhoods and even beyond the city. The founder kneaded dough until he was 86, and today the tradition remains intact, with a mystique you can feel from the sidewalk.
Another emotional landmark is Buffet El Tábano (Rómulo Naón 3029), located inside the Club Social y Deportivo El Tábano, one of the best restaurants within Buenos Aires neighborhood clubs.
Declared a site of cultural interest by the city legislature, it was the second home of tango legend Roberto “El Polaco” Goyeneche. The proposal is simple and honest: homemade, abundant food at fair prices, with that unmistakable neighborhood-club atmosphere.
Specialty cafés in Coghlan to linger
Coghlan has something many neighborhoods envy: an intimate, everyday relationship with coffee. No big chains or repetitive formulas — just spaces designed for staying, talking and returning. Mucho Café (Conesa 2686) is one of the area’s most celebrated specialty cafés, with a carefully curated aesthetic and a menu that makes it a must-stop for brunch without leaving the neighborhood. Bright tables, beautifully presented dishes and a loyal clientele that knows exactly what it’s looking for.
Café Olivia House (Tomás Le Breton 4096) offers pastries free of gluten, sugar or refined flours without sacrificing flavor or experience. It’s the kind of place that naturally blends into Coghlan’s landscape, with patrons who value both what’s in the cup and the serene atmosphere indoors.
A few meters away, Curuzú Café (Quesada 3294) presents a different postcard: a sunny corner, deck chairs on the sidewalk and croissants that invite you to pause, even if only for a while. A simple, honest and deeply local café — perfect for watching life go by at Coghlan pace.
Coghlan is also fertile ground for projects shaped by identity and culinary passion. Little Italia Market (Rómulo Naón 2701), opened in 2020, adds a fundamental layer to the neighborhood’s DNA. Born from a family story marked by Italian immigration and everyday cooking, its heritage — almost genetic — is reflected today in authentic products, recognizable flavors and a proposal that connects past and present without artifice.
Why Coghlan is one of Buenos Aires’ quietest neighborhoods
Coghlan isn’t visited — it’s discovered. You walk it without a map, cycle without a destination and enjoy it in silence. Between graffiti, paths along the tracks, sunny cafés and beautifully set tables, this neighborhood proves that there are still corners of Buenos Aires where life unfolds at a different rhythm.
Perfect for an unhurried afternoon. Or for coming back again and again, knowing there will always be a new hidden gem waiting for you.